President bans face veils

• Uses emergency regulations, says it is to promote security 

President Maithripala Sirisena using emergency regulations yesterday banned garments that cover the face and hinder identification of people citing security reasons after the Easter Sunday attacks. 

The ban will come into effect today, and the President said it was to promote security and not to adversely affect any community. 

“This was a decision taken by the President to assist security forces and improve safety and not to create any discomfort to a community. This decision is in aid to create a society where people of all communities can live in peace and harmony,” the statement released by the President’s Media Division said.   

The announcement came hours after the Prime Minister’s Office denied that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had blocked efforts to ban face veils and clarified that the Justice Ministry was working with the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulma (ACJU) to draw up relevant legislation with regard to dealing with the issue of wearing face veils.